The Bachelor of Media Studies (BMS) at UBC is a multidisciplinary, direct-entry program in the Faculty of Arts.
The program encourages students to build a strong theoretical and research-based foundation that can be applied across various media and creative industries.
The BMS program blends theory and practice, both in and out of the classroom. Students enrolled in the program will follow a year-by-year structure with the following elements:
- Direct-entry with cohort-style learning
- Multidisciplinary courses: Art History, Visual Art, English and German Critical Media Theory, Creative Writing, Journalism, Film Studies, Film Production, Information Studies and Computer Science
- Optional experiential learning term in third year
- Course offerings at the Centre for Digital Media
- Optional dual degree with the Sauder School of Business Bachelors & Masters of Management program
Curriculum
For students admitted in 2022 or prior, the Bachelor of Media Studies requirements are broken down into three main areas: core courses, core plus courses and electives.
Core Courses
Core courses ensure a broad foundation in media studies with a focus on theory, research and application. Core courses must be completed in four years. Each year there are specific Core courses that you must take in order to stay on track with the cohort model.
Core Plus Courses
Core plus courses cover a range of subjects related to media. Students may focus their core plus requirements and electives on a single area of media studies to become more specialized.
Electives
Elective credits can come from any course in the Faculty of Arts and at UBC. Please keep in mind, although there is no minimum level of elective requirements, certain courses will have their own prerequisites. Elective credits can be applied towards a minor specialization.
BMS Program Year By Year
The BMS program is four-year, cohort model program with specific course requirements that needed to be completed in certain time frames.
The core curriculum ensures a broad foundation in media studies with a focus on theory, research, and application both in and outside of the classroom. To graduate in four years, students typically take 30 credits each academic year (Sept. - Apr.) Each year consists of required Core Courses, which must be completed within the cohort model.
Requirements
Core Courses: 21 Credits
Recommended Elective and Core Plus Courses: 9 Credits
Core Courses:
*ASTU 100A: 1st Year CAP Seminar
6 Credits | Mandatory Terms 1 & 2
CRWR 213: Introduction to Writing for the New Media
3 Credits | Term 1
VISA 110: Studio Three: Digital Media
3 Credits | Term 1
CINE 100: Introduction to Film Studies
3 Credits | Term 1
JRNL 100A: New Media and Society
3 Credits | Term 2
BMS students must register in one of the following Computer Science (CPSC) courses in their first year. Please note that the CPSC credit must be completed before Year 3.
CPSC 103: Introduction to Systematic Program Design
3 Credits
CPSC 110: Computation, Programs and Programming
4 Credits
*In Year One, students take the Media Studies stream of the Coordinated Arts Program (CAP). By registering in CAP and selecting the Media Studies stream, students are automatically registered into 5 of the 6 core courses required in the first year of the Bachelor of Media Studies.
Requirements
Core Courses: 15 Credits
Recommended Electives and Core Plus Courses: 15 Credits
Core Courses:
ENGL 232: Approaches to Media Studies
3 Credits
FIPR 133: Introduction to Film and Media Production
3 Credits
CINE 240: Media Industries
3 Credits
INFO 250: Networks, Crowds and Communities
3 Credits
VISA 241: Introduction to Digital Photography
3 Credits
Requirements
Core Courses: 15 Credits
Recommended Electives and Core Plus Courses: 15 Credits
In Term 2, students are encouraged to participate in available experiential learning opportunities. All required Core Courses are scheduled in Term 1 to accommodate these opportunities.
Core courses:
ARTH 380: Art as Technology
3 Credits
ENGL 332: Approaches to Media History
3 Credits
CRWR 312: Interactive Storytelling
3 Credits
CINE 340: Media Audiences
3 Credits
VISA 210: Digital Arts
3 Credits
Requirements
Core Courses: 15 Credits
Recommended Electives and Core Plus Courses: 15 credits
Core Courses:
ARTH 480: Visual and Digital Media Theory*
3 Credits
CPSC 344: Introduction to Human Computer Interaction Methods
3 Credits
GMST 475: German Media Studies (In English)
3 Credits
INFO 456: Information Policy and Society
3 Credits
INFO 419: Information Visualization
3 Credits
* Students can choose to take JRNL 400: Feminist Postcolonial Critique and Journalism in a Digital Age (3 Credits) instead of ARTH 480: Visual and Digital Media Theory but students will need to find another course to fulfill their Research requirement. Taking ARTH 480 will fulfill both the Y4 Core Course requirement, and the Research requirement.